US3848625A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Prime mover for and in wheel-line irrigation apparatus
Assignee: CH2O Inc
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Filing: 1973-11-07
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Granted: 1974-11-19
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Expires: 1993-11-07
Abstract
Abstract A prime mover for and with an agricultural, irrigation, sideroll wheel-line wherein the wheel-line is simultaneously translated across given terrain and is also supplied water under pressure, whereby the sprinklers of the delivery system of the wheel-line are continuously operating during wheel-line movement. The subject prime mover is constructed for connection to a pressure hose, includes a slip joint or water jacket for accommodating the revolving central conduit of the wheel-line, and also employs the water pressure of the water input to drive, via a turbine or other equivalent means, a mechanical drive constructed to revolve the wheel-line proper. Auxiliary power means are provided for moving the prime mover onto a trailer bed or to a selected initial position on a field to be irrigated. A capstan, with an elongate connector or cable wrapped thereon, facilitates both the guiding of the prime mover as well as actually aiding in its translational movement. A wheel-line deflection sensor structure senses predetermined excessive deflection in the wheel line so as to provide for an automatic shut-off of the latter from the central conduit of the wheel line. Other advantages are apparent from the disclosure herein.
Inventors
- 👤 B Courtright
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 15:09
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G25/00; A01G25/09; A01G25/095
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
An agricultural, side-roll wheel-line prime mover, including in combination: a frame; forward and rearward, parallel, mutually spaced axles journaled to said frame; wheels mounted upon each of said axles; transverse, central, water-delivery, wheel-line conduit journaled to said frame for axial revolvement; water inlet structure affixed to said frame; water-pressure-tomechanical-torque converter means mounted to said frame and having a revolvable output drive, a fluid inlet coupled to said water inlet structure, and a fluid inlet, said wheel-line conduit including wall-aperture passageway means; stationary means in part surrounding and sealing said wheel-line conduit over and at opposite sides of said passageway means and coupled to said fluid outlet for passing fluid from said converter means into said wheel-line conduit, for water-delivery irrigation thereby; revolvable torque-responsive means mounted upon and keyed to said central conduit for imparting revolvement to the latter; and mechanical means coupled to and between said revolvable output drive and said torque responsive means for imparting torque to the latter to thereby revolve the same and said wheel-line conduit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
An agricultural, side-roll wheel-line prime mover, including in combination: a frame; forward and rearward, parallel, mutually spaced axles journaled to said frame; wheels mounted upon each of said axles; transverse, central, water-delivery, wheel-line conduit journaled to said frame for axial revolvement; water inlet structure affixed to said frame; water-pressure-tomechanical-torque converter means mounted to said frame and having a revolvable output drive, a fluid inlet coupled to said water inlet structure, and a fluid inlet, said wheel-line conduit including wall-aperture passageway means; stationary means in part surrounding and sealing said wheel-line conduit over and at opposite sides of said passageway means and coupled to said fluid outlet for passing fluid from said converter means into said wheel-line conduit, for water-delivery irrigation thereby; revolvable torque-responsive means mounted upon and keyed to said central conduit for imparting revolvement to the latter; and mechanical means coupled to and between said revolvable output drive and said torque responsive means for imparting torque to the latter to thereby revolve the same and said wheel-line conduit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said axles and also said conTrol conduit include respective, aligned annular, torque-effecting means keyed thereto, and endless, elongate connector means looped about and thereby coupling together said torque-effecting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said axles includes a sprocket keyed thereto, said central conduit including keyed drive sprocket means, and sprocket chain means intercoupling said axle sprockets with said drive sprocket means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said converter means includes an output-drive-regulating, variable, manually actuatable fluid bypass means for regulating the speed of said output drive.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said prime mover includes a revolvable capstan, a guide cable wrapped therearound and having opposite ends constructed for anchoring at mutually spaced points at a field to be irrigated, and gear means intercoupling said capstan with said output drive.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said capstan includes a central keyed shaft journaled to said frame, a gear keyed to said capstan shaft and mechanically coupled to said torque responsive means as mounted upon said central conduit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said frame includes cable guide means proximate said capstan for guiding the wrapping of said cable, on said capstan, in a flat coil thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein, between said output drive of said converter means and said torque responsive means there is interposed a drive line comprising a manually shiftable transmission and speed-reduction gear means serially coupled thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said frame is hollow, said port structure communicating with that portion of said frame which is hollow, and selectively capped, opposite port structure also so communicating therewith.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
An agricultural, irrigation prime mover including, in combination, a frame; wheels journaled to said frame for supporting the same; a water-delivery, wheel-line central conduit journaled to said frame; hose-coupling water inlet port structure constructed to drag a water supply hose coupled thereto; and means coupled to said inlet port structure and admitting and responsive to water-flow therethrough for simultaneously feeding water into said central conduit and also for powering said wheels.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
71 words
An agricultural, irrigation prime mover including, in combination, a frame; wheels journaled to said frame for supporting the same; a water-delivery, wheel-line central conduit journaled to said frame; hose-coupling water inlet port structure constructed to drag a water supply hose coupled thereto; and means coupled to said inlet port structure and admitting and responsive to water-flow therethrough for simultaneously feeding water into said central conduit and also for powering said wheels.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein a shut-off valve is interposed between said inlet port structure and said feeding and powering means, and means coupled to said frame and valve and responsive to central conduit deflection for selectively shutting off said valve in response to the presence of a predetermined, excessive deflection of said central conduit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said frame includes an auxiliary internal-combustion engine mounted thereon, and hydraulic means coupled to and powered by said engine for revolvably powering said central conduit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3545478A
Cited
US3592220A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-18 | 1978-05-20 | 1978-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-18 | 1982-05-20 | 1982-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-18 | 1986-05-20 | 1986-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |